Gen. 35

In the aftermath of the situation at Shechem we see Jacob make his return to Bethel.  And note the clarity in Jacob’s thinking.  While it seems unlikely that he himself had been involved in idol worship we know that his family had an interest in such gods.  Rachel had brought back the gods of her father when they returned from Padan Aram.  For Jacob, however, he understands that there is only One God Who has fulfilled the promise of protection and prosperity.  If he chooses to worship that God, there can be no other god.  Jacob exercises his role as head of his home in commanding that they get rid of the images, and that they go through cleansing, even changing their clothes.  This will truly be a pilgrimage, a journey with the sole purpose of glorifying God.  (The earrings when they also gave to Jacob were likely amulets associated with idolatry and thus needed to be left behind.  Cf. Hosea 2:13; Exodus 32:2-3.)

Upon arrival at Bethel Jacob again builds an altar.  This time the name he applies to God is El Bethel.  The emphasis is not simply on the place which is the house of God.  The worship is of the God of the house of God.  It is a wonderful way of saying there is no other God to worship at this house but the One Who brought Jacob home in peace and prosperity.

The blessing of God is evident in vs.22-26 in the listing of Jacob’s twelve sons.  In the cases of Abraham and Isaac each had two sons and only one was in the chosen line.  We have come to Jacob/Israel and all of his sons are in the chosen line.  They are all Israel.  God’s faithfulness throughout succeeding history, and in days yet ahead, will be seen in His goodness to ALL of Jacob’s family.

At the same time this chapter makes it clear that having come to Bethel does not mean that Jacob will not continue to need to trust God.  In this chapter alone we see the death of his beloved wife Rachel, the extreme disappointment of his oldest son Reuben, and the death of his father Isaac.  

Bethel is a wonderful place for Jacob but he does not stay there.  It is a significant place where he expresses praise to the God Who becomes to him El Shaddai, God Almighty (v11).  He has come to know God by the name He revealed Himself to his grandfather (Gen. 17:1) and his father (28:3).  Now God is not simply the God of my fathers but He is MY God.  

Perhaps now you look at Jacob’s life (which is not over) and realize your journey to come to God personally has been just as tumultuous.  Perhaps you have not come to that place yourself where the God of your parents became your God.  Perhaps like Timothy in the New Testament you learned the Scriptures at the feet of your parents and grandparents (2 Tim. 3:14-17).  If you read that passage you will see that Timothy learned the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection; but he is still reminded that salvation only comes through faith in Christ.  May this story be an encouragement for you to return personally to the God of your fathers as your God.